To frack or not to frack

This morning, I received an email from 38 Degrees about fracking in the UK, talking about the possibility of the government over-riding the community and local council in Lancashire and allow fracking to take place. If this happens, a precedent will be set. How would we feel if the same thing happened here, if maybe Hastings Country Park or the countryside around Battle or Romney Marsh were targeted as an ideal fracking location? Zelly Restorick writes.

I know that some of you have very strong feelings about fracking – and want to give you the opportunity to sign the petition, in case you’ve not seen it yourself. Cuadrilla was the company interested in fracking in Balcombe, West Sussex. Here’s the basis of the petition:

“The government could give a green light to fracking in Lancashire – overriding the community and the local council. This will open a dangerous door for future UK fracking sites – whether people want them or not.

“Sajid Javid – the MP responsible for the decision – is due to make an announcement on Thursday. Can you sign the petition demanding he stands by Lancashire council’s decision and says no to fracking?

“Fracking is a dangerous way of getting oil and gas out of the ground with the potential to poison our water and produce a huge amount of toxic waste. All over the country, people have been campaigning to protect their communities from this threat.

“Energy company Cuadrilla has been fighting to frack Lancashire for years. They’ve been blocked at every level; by the residents, by the Parish Council, the Borough Council and by the County Council.

“Having all this overturned by one man in Westminster flies in the face of local decision making. And could create a domino effect of other councils feeling unable to say no to fracking.”